380 POULTRY PRODUCTION 



As pointed out previously, (see page 374), wet mash in- 

 creases the number of infected eggs when fed to laying hens, 

 and is generally supposed to predispose the stock to bowel 

 trouble somewhat. 



Mairs' found that chicks under one pound in weight 

 seemed to grow faster on a wet mash, while those weighing 

 a pound and a half or more made faster growth on dry feed. 

 The loss of chicks, however, was much greater among those 

 fed wet mash than among those receiving only dry feed, 

 even when weighing less than one pound. 



Lewis^ found that for little chicks a wet-mash system of 

 feeding produced a greater gain in weight than a ration that 

 was wholly dry. This gain, however, was more than offset 

 by the increased mortality of the chicks fed the wet mash. 



Where wet mash is fed for any purpose except fattening, 

 it should be moistened only enough to render it crumbly. 

 Sloppiness should be consistently avoided. 



Feeding Little Chicks. — Chicks should not be fed for from 

 thirty-six to forty-eight hours after hatching. The exact 

 time will be determined by the chicks calling so lustily as 

 to leave no uncertainty about their being hungry. 



It has been found that when feeding is somewhat delayed 

 the yolk material which is taken into the body just prior 

 to hatching is more quickly and satisfactorily absorbed. 

 It is the fact that the yolk furnishes an ample supply of 

 feed for two to three days after hatching that makes possible 

 the practice of shipping baby chicks. Tongl (as reported 

 by Lusk') found that "48 per cent, of the original energy 

 in the egg is largely found in the abdomen of the chick" 

 and is absorbed by the intestine during the early days of life. 

 Before giving any grains the chicks should be provided with 

 clean fresh water that is not too cold, bone meal, and clean 

 sand or very fine grit. Grit, bone, and charcoal should be 

 before them at all times thereafter. 



When regular feeding begins, frequency of feeding is an 

 essential of good practice. This is particularly true in the 



' Pennsylvania Bulletin No. 87. 



" New J|rsey Experiment Station, Thirty-second Annual Report. 



' Science of Nutrition. 



